Can your décor make you healthier? 6 ways science says yes

Originally published March 3, 2016 at 2:30 pm
Updated March 3, 2016 at 2:33 pm

A string of studies suggest the way you style your home can have a subtle impact on your health. Here are some easy tweaks.

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By Sophie Miura

Domaine (TNS)

Picking out new dinnerware or buying fresh linens might seem like a purely aesthetic decision, but a string of studies suggest the way you style your home can have a subtle impact on your health.

From the color of your plates to where you charge your phone, here are some small tweaks you can make to turn your space in to a healthier home.

Dine with colored dinnerware. White dinnerware might be the most common choice, but studies suggest it’s not the healthiest.

Researchers at Cornell University Food and Brand Lab tested the link between plate color and serving size at a New York dinner party. Diners who ate white cream pasta from a white plate served themselves 22 percent more than those who ate from a dish in a contrasting hue.

The thought is that it’s easier to see portion size against a contrasting color. Something as easy as switching your crockery could have an impact on how much you eat.

Turn down the thermostat at night. In the depths of winter, the thought of a warm bed is enticing. But experts from the National Institutes of Health found that sleeping in a cooler room can cause your body to burn more calories while you sleep. It might sound too good to be true, but changing your sheets to lightweight linen or turning down the thermostat could better your health overnight.

Add a mirror to your dining room. If you’re styling a kitchen or dining room, consider that researchers at University of Central Florida have found that introducing a mirror to eating areas can influence you to make healthier choices.

Students who ate indulgent food in a room with a mirror said they didn’t find it as delicious or satisfying. Researchers believe it’s because mirrors force us to view ourselves objectively.

Pottery Barn Eagan Multipanel Large Mirror, $699

Create a charging station. If you keep your phone by your bed, we’ve got news for you: The light emitted from your devices is wreaking havoc with your internal clock. A Harvard Medical School study found that using your phone or tablet at night throws off your circadian rhythm, leading to a bad night’s sleep.

Downsize bowls and glassware. Switching to smaller plates and bowls can seriously reduce your chances of overeating. A recent study found that halving your plate size can cause you to eat 30 percent less. Study participants still reported feeling full because they weren’t actually aware their portions had changed. When it comes to glassware, science says tall, narrow glasses are best. Short, wide glasses give the illusion of containing less liquid, so you’re more likely to overpour.

Add greenery. The latest influx of indoor plant hangers and geometric pot stands are enough to entice us to add greenery to our homes, but according to NASA, houseplants are also a great way to improve air quality.

Chrysanthemums were named the best at absorbing pollutants, making them ideal for those who suffer from allergies.